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The yards, occupying an immense space, are partly covered with well-built drying-sheds for timber, of which the average stock contains some thousands or standards of sawn and planed wood, Baltic and American, of which a large proportion is dry pine. The yard is intersected by sidings, connecting with the railways on either side, and running through the centre, pass the sheds, with branches to the steam crane and horizontal saws, so that timber can be delivered and loaded direct to and from the mills with considerable economy of cartage. On the canal bank is a 10-ton steam traveller, and beneath this is stored a large and valuable stock of hard-woods.
Joinery Department.
As general timber merchants, Messrs. Ashworth, Kirk and Co., Ltd., supply immense quantities of prepared materials, cut to sizes required for builders, contractors, cabinet-makers, and other trades, among whom the firm number on their books some of the largest buyers in the Midland Counties.
The entire organisation of the vast establishment is complete and thoroughly efficient in every detail of the arrangements, the place being lighted throughout by an electric installation, comprising dynamo and engine of the latest type. In 1895 the business was converted into a limited company, under its present title, of which the managing directors are Mr. John Ashworth and Mr. George Harry Kirk, while the supervision of the picture- frame moulding department is in charge of Mr. Arthur E. Ashworth, and its representative on the road is Mr. Leonard Ashworth. In the timber yards five managers are engaged, including Mr. Fred Ashworth, who is a Lieutenant in the Robin Hood Rifles.
The Engine. 300 Indicated Horse-power.
In the series of illustrations incorporated in our notice are given views of some of the most prominent features of interest in the works, together with portraits of the principal members of the firm. Of these gentlemen it only remains to add that the prosperity attending their enterprise has been won by those qualities of sheer energy and perseverance that not only deserve, but command success in every field of industrial undertaking; and, as indicating the bent of their recreative pleasures, it may be noted that Mr. John Ashworth is an enthusiastic Volunteer, and captain of the crack corps of Robin Hood Rifles ; while Mr. Harry Kirk is equally enthusiastic as a votary of the wheel, and a familiar figure in the cycling world of Nottingham and the district.